FC Twente coach Steve McClaren is confident former club Middlesbrough will beat the drop.

"It is the first result I look for, and I only wish them well," McClaren told the Daily Express. "FC Twente is a similar club in size to Boro and we have to do things the right way in order to make progress. We did that at Boro when I was there and I am very proud of what we achieved.

"Gareth Southgate will do well as a manager - no doubt. Boro have a very strong, very intelligent chairman in Steve Gibson and a very strong manager in Gareth. And whatever happens, they will bounce back. The club is too well organised not to do that, and it has a great fan base.

"I don't go along with people who say you cannot stay up if you are in a poor position now. That's just not true. Boro can do it, and I hope they manage it.

"They bring so much to English football. They have the best youth policy in the country and they have produced player after player for the various national teams.

"They should be very proud of their achievements. They have a tough job on their hands but it is not impossible by any stretch."